Scourmont Abbey

Chimay, Belgium

Scourmont Abbey is a Trappist monastery famous for its spiritual life, and the Chimay Brewery which it runs, one of the few Trappist breweries.

In 1844, Jean-Baptiste Jourdain, the priest of Virelles, suggested that the wild plateau of Scourmont was a suitable place for a monastery. However, all previous attempts to cultivate the barren plateau had failed. Fr. Jourdain obtained support for the proposed foundation from Prince Joseph II de Chimay, the abbot of Westmalle Abbey and Westvleteren Abbey. Six years later, on 25 July 1850, a small group of monks from Westvleteren settled on Scourmont and founded a priory.

A lot of hard work was required to transform the barren soil of Scourmont into fertile farmland. A farm was created around the monastery, as well as a cheese-making factory and a brewery. On 24 February 1871, Pope Pius IX granted the priory the status of abbey and it was inaugurated on 7 July 1871. The present church of the abbey dates from 1950.

The famous beers and cheeses of Scourmont Abbey are marketed under the trade name of Chimay, after the village where the abbey is located.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 1850
Category: Religious sites in Belgium

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Freddy Vandriessche (14 months ago)
This is the abbey where the famous Chimay Trappist beer is brewed. Trappist beers must be brewed in the abbey without exception. Only a few parking places exist, but usually one finds a spot. The area is very green and quiet, ideal for contemplation, combining tamed nature with plain nature. Walkers will find a few paths around the abbey, but the abbey too is publicly accessible. You'll find a huge entrance gate, with clean public bathrooms. Through this gate, one can enter the inside gardens, the church entrance is on your left. On your right, you can walk to the cemetary of the abbey. Visiting the area takes 30-45min. Like many abbeys unfortunately, the inhabitants do not focus on tourism or any initiative to better welcome, inform or guide anyone around. I would be prepared to pay for a visit, guidance and tasting, if any such experience existed. This place must be ideal for hard working and contemplating monks, while for visitors, they are completely left alone figuring out it's rather interesting history!
Giles Deshon (2 years ago)
This my favourite Belgian Trappist Abbeye. Seemed in tune with the Cistercian strict observance. A spartan church, lovely cemetery and silence. Just some signs to ask to close the door. No cost to enter. Take a walk in the woods across the road to see where to monks go to contemplate God and nature. Then go for lunch at a nearby restaurant (such as the Chimay experience) to taste the local brews.
Bruno Vanderstocken (3 years ago)
Beautiful and quiet monastery. Check out the sequoia in the middle of the abbey, and the church on your left when you enter.
Freddy Vandriessche (3 years ago)
This is the abbey where the famous Chimay Trappist beer is brewed. Trappist beers must be brewed in the abbey without exception. Only a few parking places exist, but usually one finds a spot. The area is very green and quiet, ideal for contemplation, combining tamed nature with plain nature. Walkers will find a few paths around the abbey, but the abbey too is publicly accessible. You'll find a huge entrance gate, with clean public bathrooms. Through this gate, one can enter the inside gardens, the church entrance is on your left. On your right, you can walk to the cemetary of the abbey. Visiting the area takes 30-45min. Like many abbeys unfortunately, the inhabitants do not focus on tourism or any initiative to better welcome, inform or guide anyone around. I would be prepared to pay for a visit, guidance and tasting, if any such experience existed. This place must be ideal for hard working and contemplating monks, while for visitors, they are completely left alone figuring out it's rather interesting history!
Bartek B (4 years ago)
Nice to be in the place where Chimay beer was born. Unfortunately due to covid all except Chapel (quite usual) is closed
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Danmark Church

The first written record of church in Danmark locality date back to the year 1291. Close to the church are several stones with a Christian text and cross inscribed. The oldest parts of the present red-brick church are from the 1300s. In the late 1400s the church was enlarged to the appearance it has today. The church has been modified both internally and externally several times, among other things after the fires in 1699 and 1889. There are lot of well-preserved mural paintings in the walls.